The next two prospects on our list could become stars. Or, they could fizzle out and miss completely.
18. (NR) C Jeremy Loranger 5'9", 161 pounds. 7th round (#198 overall), 2025 NHL Draft. Projection: top two line scorer. Stats: 40g, 65a, 105pts in 54gp for Sherwood Park (BCHL). Will play for the University of Nebraska-Omaha this fall. How we ranked him: Curtis (NR), Matt (19), Mike (15).
Why we ranked him here: Jeremy is a dynamic scorer, as evidenced by his points total in the BCHL last season. While that was at the tier 2 junior level, it's still very impressive. He actually scored at roughly the same pace in that league as Kent Johnson at the same age. Loranger is speedy, shifty, deceptive, and equally effective whether he's passing or shooting the puck. If he hits, this is terrific use of a 7th round pick.
The problem is, he may not hit at all. Loranger is either a top-two line scorer, or he's not an NHL player. There is no in between because this isn't a guy that will play in the bottom six, especially not on a team ran by Don Waddell and coached by Dean Evason. I'm interested to see if he's able to be a productive scorer at the NCAA level.
What can we expect from Jeremy Loranger at the next level? Maybe the next guy on our list can show us.
17. (11) RW William Whitelaw 5'9", 174 pounds. 3rd round (#66 overall), 2023 NHL Draft. Projection: top nine scoring winger. Stats: 11g, 7a, 18pts in 35gp for the University of Michigan (NCAA). Transferring to Western Michigan University this fall. How we ranked him: Curtis (15), Matt (17), Mike (NR).
Why we ranked him here: William was unable to improve upon his production after transferring to the Wolverines for last season, so he falls a little ways in our rankings. Still, the talent is obvious here. He's a speedy sniper in every sense of the word; he just hasn't been able to find consistency at the collegiate level to this point.
Hopefully, another change of scenery will help him do that. He's heading to the defending national champion Broncos this-go round, so he will have the opportunity to improve with a strong team. Another stagnant year of production could hurt his value. Or, he could find his game and shoot back up this list.
On the next slide, we have two defensemen with high floors.